US President Donald Trump will meet with top executives of major corporations. In the meeting following the drop in US stock markets, CEOs will demand an end to global trade tensions. President Donald Trump will meet with the general managers of many major US companies whose market values have decreased in recent days due to concerns about stagnation and inflation reducing investor risk appetite. It is expected that he will meet with about 100 CEOs at the regular Business Roundtable meeting in Washington. CEOs of major US companies such as Apple, JPMorgan Chase, and Walmart will participate in this meeting. Trump also met with executives of technology companies at the White House yesterday.

TARIFFS ROCKING THE MARKETS Trump’s economic policy has largely relied on announcements of customs tariffs so far. Some of these tariffs have come into effect, while others have been postponed. Trump argues that new customs tariffs and protective policies will correct imbalanced trade relations, increase job opportunities in the US, and prevent drugs from entering the US. Markets are experiencing significant fluctuations due to concerns that these policies may increase costs for businesses, raise inflation, weaken consumer confidence, and negatively impact economic growth. Yesterday, US stock indices closed in the red due to concerns about the effects of Trump’s customs tariffs on the economy. The S&P 500 index has fallen by 3% since the US presidential elections in November 2024.

TRUMP DID NOT RESPOND TO RECESSION QUESTION Trump has imposed a 20% additional tax on goods imported from China and a 25% tax on imports from Canada and Mexico, but most of these tariffs were postponed until April 2. Trump plans to announce reciprocal customs tariffs for all trading partners on April 2. Last month, the US president stated that these policies may cause some short-term trouble but will provide benefits in the long term. During an interview with Fox News over the weekend, Trump did not respond to the question of whether customs tariffs would lead to stagnation.